Hoisting apparatus



1934- 0. P. LIEBREICH 1,984,071

HOISTING APPARATUS Filed March 10, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l A /7 /6 X 1 9 u l 1 1 4 4 53 4 43 L 38 r it i INVENTOR Dec. 11, 1934. o. P. LIEBREICH HOISTING APPARATUS Filed March 10, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 11, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HOISTING APPARATUS Oscar P. Liebreich, Jackson Heights, N. Y.

Application March 10,

7 Claims.

My invention relates, generally, to improvements in hoisting apparatus, but more specifically to hand operated hoists installed in basement ways of buildings and used for raising or lower- 5 ing objects from one level to another, the hoist being of the type which may be elevated to its working position above the loading level, and which may be lowered out of the way when not in use, the hoistway doorsbeing automatically operated during the elevating and lowering operations.

Hoists of this character are at present being extensively used for raising ashes in cans from the basements of buildings to the sidewalk level, and for lowering the empty ash cans. When-it is desired to remove the cans of ashes, an operator usually stands in the hoistway and operates an elevating device on the .hoist, which opens the hoistway doors and raises the hoisting drum to its operating position above the sidewalk level. The operator then ascends to the sidewalk to operate the hoisting drum. The hoisted cans are then swung over on to the sidewalk and emptied. The empty cans are then lowered by gravity, by reversing the operation of the winding drum@ The operator descendsto the basement level after the hoisting operations are completed, and lowers the winding drum, at the same time closing the hoistway doors.

At present, costly and hazardous means are utilized for elevating the winding drum and for operating the hoistway doors. The mechanisms for operating the winding drum are also complicated and hazardous to the operator and others. When lowering (with present hoists), the operating handle must be removed or the ears must be disengaged, and the lowering motion controlled by a separate brake. These operations require several controls which, when worn or improperly adjusted, oiten result in accidents due to rapidly revolving handles and loads falling out of control. Again, more or less skilled operators are required. j

For the above reasons and many others, the

present mechanisms for hoisting apparatus of 1931, Serial No. 521,420

It is a further object to provide hoisting apparatus which will elevate a winding drum to a higher operating position, and at the same time automatically open doors normally closed over the hoisting apparatus.

It is a still further object to provide hoisting apparatus which can be elevated and which can be operated at the elevated position to raise and lower loads.

A still further object is to provide hoisting apparatus which can be operated from an elevated or extended position by means of a single control lever for controlling both raising and lowering of loads. 7

A still further object is to provide hoisting apparatus by which both the raising of loads by hand or power, and the lowering of loads by gravity, can be operated by a single control lever, the hoisting apparatus being automatically safe at all times, regardless of the skill or attention of the operator.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide improved hoisting apparatus which can be readily installed under various operating 'conditions, and which is provided with a winding drum, operated by a safety control lever, and supported by a telescopic mast operated by a safety control handle, which is used to elevate the winding drum to its operating position, and also to perform the automatic opening and closing of hoistway doors. I

The preferred form for my invention is shown, by Way of example, in the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of hoisting apparatus embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view, partially in section, of the winding drum operating and safety control handle;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation on the line 3- 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of an installation of my hoisting apparatus, the elevating safety control shown partially in section;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the elevating gear;

Fig. 6 is a sectional plan view of the telescopic mast on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a sectional plan view of the'telescopic mast on the line 7-7 of Fig. 4; 1

Fig. 8 is a side view of part of the door operating mechanism when the doors are closed; and

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the adjustable door operating stud.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and

consists essentially of mechanical elements, in some cases of conventional or stock material elements, and in other instances of specially designed elements.

I have shown, by way of example, part of a building 11, having a hoistway 12 extending to the sidewalk 13, and provided with doors 14 and 15, door 14 being provided with a fixed guard gate 16, and door 15 being provided with a springhinged guard gate 17 adapted to swing out over the sidewalk as indicated at A. When the hoisting apparatus is not in use, the winding drum 18 is lowered into the hoistway below the closed doors in the sidewalk. Thus, the hoisting apparatus is entirely housed, and the entire area of the sidewalk is available for use.

When it is desired to operate my improved hoisting apparatus, the winding drum being in the lowered position and the hoistway doors closed, the operator enters the hoistway and operates the elevating gear 20, by means of handle 21 attached toxshaft 22, adapted to turn in bracket 23 secured to lower tubular standard .24 installed in the hoistway by base 25 and bracket v26.. Gear 20 is provided with a spiral cam 27, which engages with rack 28 attached to tubular telescopic mast 29. Mast 29 slides vertically inside of .lower standard 24, and is in an eccentric position as shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

The mast is set eccentrically to allow lower standard '24 to enclose rack 28, otherwise a very large size tubular standard would be required, or it would be necessary to provide a long slot for the rack in one side of the standard. Both of the latter methods are costly and unnecessary. I prefer to utilize stock pipe sizes for the standard and telescopic mast, the mast being guided by upper cap 30, which also maintains the mast in its offset position. The lower eccentric plug '31 is adapted to-slide inside of standard 24. Upper cap 30 is secured to the top of standard :24 by setscrew 33 and is provided with guide portion 32 for rack 28, which also acts as a :guide to prevent rotation of the tubular mast. Many forms of notched means, exterior to the surface of mast 29, maybe used in place of rack 28, suc'has a linked chain or pins, with or without rollers.

As elevating gear 20 is rotated, spiral cam 27 successively engages the teeth of rack 28, [causing telescopic mast 29 to move vertically inside of pipe standard 24. At the same time, cam 34, on the side of gear 20, operates a crank lever 35, mounted on bracket 23. Crank lever 35 actuates a switch 36, which controls an electric alarm bell 3'7. The electrical circuit between the switch and the bell is in accordance with usual practice and is not shown on the drawings.

The elevating mechanism is such that the gearing is self-locking in all positions without the use of pawls, ratchets or safety pins, which-are liable to break, with resultant danger to the operator. The gearing is in mesh at all times and requires a turning motion, both when raising and lowering. Should the operator lose control of the handle when lowering, the descent of the mast is automaticaly checked and held by the gearing.

As the telescopic mast 29 is raised by elevating gear 20, an adjustable door operating stud 38, at- .tached to the upper end of the mast, engages with slot 39 of radius arm 40, pivoted to the lower end of plate 41 attached to one side of the hoistway and to the sidewalk door frame. The free end of radius arm 4.0 is'pivotably connected to one end of each of two links 42 and 43, each link having its other end pivoted to one of a pair of horizontally hinged hoistway doors 14 and 15.

Stud 38 moves upward along center line BB of telescopic mast 29, causing both doors to open upward until they are fully open, and guard gates 16 and 17 are horizontal, as shown in Fig. 4. At this time, further upward vertical movement of the mast causes stud 38 to ride over the end of U shaped extension 44, and out of slot 39. In this manner, the doors are fully opened in advance of the rising of winding drum 18, which may be further elevated to its operating position as shown.

@Similarly, the mast may be lowered and the closing of the doors will be delayed until the drum has started to enter the hoistway. Thus, the operating height of the winding drum is not restricted by the door operating mechanism, since door operating stud 38 is engaged with radius arm 40, only while the doors are being opened or closed.

While the telescopic mast is first "being raised, the opening of the doors is assisted by the lifting action of counter-weight 45 by means of cable 46 passing over pulley 47., attached to the door frame; and pulley 48 attached to radius arm 40, the other end of cable 46 being attached to theother side of the door frame at bracket 49. The counter balance weight also holds'the doors in'the open position against wind pressure or accidental An adjustable stop 41 is provided to hold the doors in the correct position and against fur- :ther lifting action of the cable and weight. The cable anchor bracket 4'9 can readily be adjusted .so that when the doors are in the correct position for proper operation of the swing guard gate 1'7,

the cable, between. bracket 49 and pulley 47, is taut and not in a straight line, thus holding the doors against the stops.

'When the doors are in the closed position, the greatest lifting force is required. Radius arm 40 is then in the position shown by broken line C of Fig. 4., the effective pull of counterweight 45 on cable 46, around pulley 48, being, substantially, at right angles to radius arm 40,'and parallel to door liftingarms 42 and 43, as shown in Fig. 8. Thus the full efliciency of the counterweight is realized. When the mast is lowered, the counterweight and cable prevent the doors from falling shut. Stud 38 also looks the doors closed, making it unnecessary to provide additional locking means. While the doors are being opened or closed, the electric alarm bell rings, acting as .an audible alarm to warn pedestrians on the sidewalk.

After the doors have been opened and the hoisting headfully elevated, the operator ascends ladder 50 to the sidewalk level and operates the winding drum 18. Drum '18 is free to rotate on the shaft .51 of the U-s'haped frame or bracket 52, revolvably mounted on the upper end of telescopic mast 29. Operating handle or lever '53 has hub 54 threaded on to pinion shaft 55.

To operate the winding drum of the hoisting apparatus, the operator hooks on a can of ashes, or other load, at the bottom of hcistway 12, by swinging cable 56 to attach cable hook 5'7. Handle 53 is rotated'to turn pinion shaft 55 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1. A spring loaded plunger 58, Fig. 3, bears on teeth '59 cast into collar 60, slidably keyed to pinion shaft 55, sufliciently retarding the rotation of the pinion shaft to cause hub 54 to turn on the threadsrand press against collar :60. As hub 54 advances on threads '61, collar 62, pinned to shaft '55, is drawn toward collar 60 until pinion gear .63 is clamped between the collars and rotates with the shaft. Pinion 634's normally free to rotate on the pinion shaft, and ball bearings 64 decrease the friction between hub 54 and collar 60, increasing the self-clutching action of the pinion unit.

Since pinion gear 63 is in constant engagement with gear 65 integral with winding drum 18, it will not rotate until the frictionalforce, of collars 60 and 62 on the sides of pinion63, has become sufficient to overcome the pull of the load on cable 56 wound on drum 18. As the load resistance is increased, the threaded hub 54 will continue to advance on the threaded shaft to constantly increase the pressure onthe pinion until the frictional force is sufficient to carry the load. Pinion 63, shaft 55; and ratchet collar 60 will then rotate as a unit, and drive gear 65 and drum 18. Should the operator release handle 53, the load will be checked and held by ratchet teeth 59 and plunger 58. A nonmetallic washer 66 is preferably placed between plunger spring 6'7 and retaining pin 67a to reduce the metallic sound of the ratchet.

When the load has been raised to the sidewalk level, latch 68 is depressed, and frame 52 may be swung out over the sidewalk by pulling on handle 53, the hanging ash can, or other load, passing through the hinged guard gate 17. Guard gates 16 and 17 effectively close the opening between the ends of the hoistway doors and prevent pedestrians from falling into the hoistway. The other ends of the doors are usually protected by the building wall, although additional safety gates may also be provided. Latch 68 is hinged to a cap pinned to the top of tubular mast 29, and is provided to engage with a notch 69 in frame 52, to steady the winding drum when raising and lowering. When the winding drum frame is swung back over the hoistway, a spring '70 returns latch 68 to engage with notch 69. Frame 52 is preferably mounted on the telescopic mast by a ball or roller bearing to reduce the effort required to swing the load over the sidewalk. A nut 71 secures the frame to the mast and prevents accidental dislocation while lowering the mast.

When it is desired to lower loads or empty ash cans, operating handle 53 is only slightly revolved in the opposite direction. Stop 58 now holds collar 60 and threaded shaft 55 against rotation, so that hub 54 backs off of threads 61, thus releasing the frictional pressure on pinion 63. The pinion is now free to rotate on shaft 55, release drum l8, and rapidly lower the load by gravity. Spring 71a is provided in pinion 63, to free the adhesion between the friction collars and the sides of the pinion, and secure instant release of the pinion.

The speed of rotation of the drum and the gravity lowering of the load can be controlled by the amount of reverse motion given to the single control lever 53. Moving this lever slightly in the raising direction instantly increases the pressure on the sides of the pinion, and reduces the gravity lowering speed. Should the operator accidently release the operating handle while lowering, or at any other time, coil spring 72 causes hub 54 to thread on to shaft 55, thus instantly locking the pinion friction clutch, and checking the load against ratchet 59 and plunger 58. In this manner, rapid and controlled gravity lowering is accomplished without removing the operating handle or the hazardous shifting out of mesh of driving gears, and without the use of indirectly operated friction brakes, common control means being provided for both raising and lowering. v fl The automatic'door operating mechanism consists of a minimum number of parts, and is based on design whi'chresults in efficiency and safety,

without the necessity of refinements 'in'fabrication'jand"installation; -The combination and arrangemen't of parts allowsthe use of'a' majority of stock materials requiring a minimum'amount of fabrication,resulting in a complete hoisting apparatus-which is safe, economical, convenient and'well suited to the purpose intended.

It will be apparent that; while Ihave shown the preferred form- 'my invention may take,"ye't many changes inminor 'detail's and proportions may be made "within the spirit of the'invention and the scope of the appended claims.-

What I claim is:

1. In a hoisting apparatus, a hollow standard, a movable mast eccentrically positioned in said hollow standard, an eccentric cap on the upper end of said hollow standard guiding said movable mast in said eccentric relationship with said hollow standard, and having mast non-rotating guide means, notched drive means exterior to the surface of and extending parallel to the axis of said mast, door-operating means in operable relationship with said mast, hoisting means on the upper end of said mast, and means attached to said hollow standard, and in engagement with said notched drive means for operating said movable mast in said eccentric cap, for operating said door-operating means and for lowering said hoisting means.

2. In a hoisting apparatus, the combination of hoisting means, a telescopic mast, a pair of hinged doors, and a door-operating mechanism for said doors, said door-operating mechanism comprising two links each having one end pivoted to one of said hinged doors, a radius member to the free end of which the other end of each link is pivoted, said radius member having a pivotal connection to a fixed point located below one of said doors, and having an open slot displaced from the pivoted end of said radius member, said telescopic mast having an actuating device at times in engagement with said open slot of said radius member to open said hinged doors when said hoisting means is raised by said telescopic mast.

3. In a hoisting apparatus, a stationary hollow post, a mast arranged to slide vertically within said post, hoistingmeans mounted on said mast, a pair of swinging doors made to close horizontally over said hoisting means, two links each having one end pivoted to one of said doors, a radius member pivoted at one end to the free ends of each of said links and at the other end to a fixed pivot adjacent to said mast, an open slot on said radius arm, radius arm actuating means at times engaged with said slot and mounted on said mast, and common means for simultaneously elevating said mast, actuating said radius member, opening said doors and elevating said hoisting means.

4. In a hoisting apparatus, a frame mounted on a telescopic mast, a winding drum mounted in said frame, a gear fixed to said drum, a shaft mounted in said frame, a second gear freely mounted on said shaft, and in driving engagement with said first named gear, a friction clutch coaxial with said shaft, a hub threaded on said shaft, common means associated with said hub for engaging said friction clutch with said second named gear, and for rotating said shaft to drive said first named; gear when said-hub is turned in one direction, means for preventing rotation of said. shaft when said hub is turnedin-the opposite direction,; and means for causing said clutch to disengage when said hub is rotated in said opposite direction;

5. In av hoisting apparatus a'frame mountedon av telescopic mast, auwinding drum mounted on said frame, a gear fixed to said drum, a pinion.- gear in driving engagement with said first named gear, a shaft coaxial with said pinion-gear, a friction clutch coaxial with said shaft, common means for engaging said. clutch with said piniongear and for revolving saidshaft in one direction to. rotate, said drum, means for preventing the rotation of said shaft in the opposite direction, and meansfor disengaging said clutch,

6'. Claim 5, and means normally maintaining said clutch in engagement.

'7. In a hoisting apparatus, a hollow standard, having an open end, a movable mast eccentrically positioned in said hollow standard, an eccentric cap at the open end of the hollow standard to guide the movable mast in its eccentric relationship with said standard, mast drive means exterior to said mast and within said hollow standard, and means cooperative with said standard and in engagement With said drive means for operating said movable mast in said cap and for extending, said mast from the'open end of said standard.

' ()SCAR P. LIEBREICH. 15 

